The new Iron Pit Woods Adventure in Corby opened to the public on the 15 July, in time for the beginning of the school holidays.
Featuring an 18-hole adventure golf and aerial assault course with zip wire, the new leisure and adventure area was created by specialist creative design and build specialists Greenspan Projects Ltd.
The woodland-themed crazy golf course is surrounded by the aerial high ropes assault course. Visitors can book online to guarantee their time slot or turn up and play if there is capacity. Up to 90 people an hour can try their hands at the crazy golf. The course comes complete with carved wooden animals, a river, totem poles, and a pull-yourself-across river raft crossing.
Holiday Inn Corby/Kettering is a full-service 110-bedroom IHG hotel with a range of dining options. Featuring five luxury spa treatment rooms, it boasts a fully equipped gym and an indoor swimming pool, as well as a sauna, a steam room, a jacuzzi and six spacious meeting rooms. There is also free car parking and high-speed Wi-Fi.
With the addition of the new outdoor facilities, the operator now has the capacity to offer leisure and corporate team-building packages. The adventure facility extends and enhances the hotel’s guest offering. It also serves as a great addition to the town.
The attraction’s corporate opening was attended by representatives from the community, as well as local politicians. They were greeted by a rolled-out red carpet, free refreshments, and classical Spanish guitar music by artist Elio Andrade. The Mayor of Corby, Cllr Leanne Buckingham, cut the ribbon at the opening event.
Reimagining the space
Jamie Jackson, woodland manager for Holiday Inn Corby/Kettering, in charge of managing the site, explained that the team had been planning to do a project involving the woodland for several years.
Having visited multiple sites across the UK as research, the team came up with the concept for the wood. Jackson explains:
“I had been looking at different options to develop the woodland space we have, in order to fulfil its potential in terms of generating benefits for us. Following extensive research, this seemed the best fit. We have chosen a woodland-themed adventure golf course that fits in with our amazing woodland on the site of the hotel. Above the 18-hole adventure golf course, we have an aerial assault course. This has 14 different elements of different difficulty levels and ends with a 41-metre zip wire finish.”
If the venture turns out to be as successful as the initial indications seem to show, the Holiday Park team have plans for expansion which include, potentially, adding an axe-throwing venue, off-road buggies and rock-climbing walls.
“We’re opening up in a key part of the summer, the start of the summer holiday, and the plan is to make the summer holidays a success,” he comments. “Then we can sit down after that, we can manage our footfall, we can look at our forecast budgets, see how we’ve performed, see how the site has performed against our forecasting budget, and again, if it is a success, then that gives us every opportunity and every right to expand and look at bigger options [for] the future.”
The goal of the project
Regarding the Iron Pit Woods project’s objectives, he says:
“The goal was to develop the site sympathetically, and to improve revenue and profit, allowing us to continue to look at further development. Our vision was to create something to benefit both those in the local area and those further afield.”
The development enhances rather than detracts from the beauty of the woodland where, at the right time of the year, bluebells flourish.
Turning to the design and construction process, he says:
“There were some challenges with overall planning, which delayed the project by well over a year.”
However, he adds:
“Plans were modified, and planning granted, and from that point onward construction was fairly straightforward, coming in on time.”
He explains the choice of Greenspan to help realise the vision:
“Greenspan wasn’t the cheapest company, but they were the best value. And they engaged far more than other companies we spoke to. They were by far the sharpest during the research and tender process. There were a number of planning challenges during the process, but Greenspan advised us and helped us work through these, delivering the wonderful facility we have now.”
Enhancing the surrounding nature at Iron Pit Woods
As well as being a valuable resource for the public, hotel guests are able to use the facility for weddings, celebrations, and corporate events. A new reception area has been created to welcome visitors, offering refreshments as well as hosting birthday parties.
Outlining the highlights along the way, Jackson says:
“Seeing it come to life through the construction has been great. And the wider feedback we have received has been amazing. Latterly and since opening, it is striking how it has opened up new revenue streams into the hotel from team-building events and even photo opportunities for weddings. We have received nothing but positive feedback from the locals and people travelling from further afield. It is a fantastic addition to the area and beyond.”
Commenting on how the development furthers the hotel’s commitment to enhance the nature surrounding it, Jackson adds:
“Making a success of Iron Pit Woods is vital for us so we can continue to develop and do more with the site, adding more to it over time, with a mindset of working with the nature we have there. Previously, the woodlands were never visited; they were just there behind the hotel. What we have done has brought people to them to appreciate them, and that is something we want to increase.
The area has been crying out for something like this. It’s such an exciting project. It’s a one-of-a-kind for the area. We would love to continue and add more development in time, something that will depend on the continued success of this. Greenspan is key to that expansion.”
Why choose Greenspan?
Greenspan Projects is a specialist in the creative design and build of leisure spaces. For almost half a century, since its inception in 1976, the company has been delivering top-quality, innovative schemes to a broad spectrum of visitor attractions, working on large bespoke construction and theming projects for zoos, theme parks, farm parks, and other visitor attractions.
Completed projects are varied. These include animal exhibits, adventure courses, competitive socialising, mini golf courses, indoor and outdoor adventure play areas, and bespoke internal theming.
The Greenspan Projects team, a committed crew of individuals working towards realising their clients’ vision, has a depth of knowledge of construction, theming, play and target markets. It also has a track record of offering bespoke schemes tailored to clients’ budgets.
Offering a flexible, collaborative service, Greenspan approaches projects with the client in mind, and with the project at the forefront of every decision. The innovative design team focuses on both practicality and the ‘wow’ factor, taking minimal maintenance requirements into consideration as a matter of course.
Next-level adventure golf
Commenting on the Iron Pit Woods Adventure project, Rod Morton, CEO of Greenspan Projects, observes:
“Hotels and resorts are really upping their game when it comes to enhancing their venues, with the visitor’s experience at the forefront. We were delighted to be approached by IHG Hotels and Resorts for Holiday Inn Corby/Kettering to help them develop their dream to do just this. Their vision is to utilise their stunning natural surroundings to bring forward an adventure attraction that will ultimately bring even more joy to visitors. Although their current offering is already extensive, this will be the jewel in the crown.”
He adds:
“The Holiday Inn, Corby were impressed with the idea of adventure golf. Yet they wanted to take their attraction to the “next level”, so to speak! When working on the design, we created a concept that included not only an exciting high ropes assault course that would bring a little adrenaline to the party but also a zip-wire finale that would truly top off the attraction.”
“Our in-house creative and technical designers are exceptional when it comes to bringing imaginative concepts to life. They worked together to decipher the land area and how this would enhance the space and make it a more inclusive adventure. For example – ensuring excellent vantage points of the high ropes so those taking on the challenges at the top can wave to family or friends playing the adventure golf below.”
Aerial adventures at Iron Pit Woods
John Whitehead, sales consultant for Greenspan Projects, comments:
“Aerial adventures are a great deal of fun to work on. Engaging with Holiday Inn Corby/Kettering has been a genuine pleasure. They have put their clientele at the forefront from the get-go, and they are onto something truly unique and exciting here. Prepare for a new adventure… with a twist!”
The natural surroundings informed Greenspan’s design. Morton explains this:
“The client loved the ideas we presented, and opted for the woodland theme throughout, taking into account the existing beautiful surroundings. [The project] blends in beautifully with the trees and wildlife – where water features and additional planting have now enhanced the overall aesthetic.”
In terms of the construction itself, Graham Marks, project manager at Greenspan Projects, outlines the process:
“Trying to retain the natural aesthetic and not disrupting the environment too much was vital in the construction process. We did have to manoeuvre around the natural obstacles. But we wanted to make sure the woodland was as protected as possible. We were working with very heavy-duty materials. So, we needed to ensure they were delivered on-site through a specifically created entrance, where we also needed to avoid churning up the ground.
“There are always slight challenges when it comes to the unpredictable weather, too, but it didn’t dampen our spirits! Working closely with The Holiday Inn management team was also a pleasure. They liked to get involved with the construction process in terms of checking everything was on track and adding new ideas.”
A great asset for the local area
Concerning the outcome, the attraction’s reception has been overwhelmingly positive. Morton says:
“We have received some excellent feedback so far. Many visitors have commented how it’s great to finally have an attraction like this in the area. They have also said how the course and the golf were a lot of fun to get involved in… and not just for the little ones! This makes it even more worthwhile for us. We love to hear what visitors think. To check out these reviews online makes us, and the client, beam with pride.”
Marks agrees, adding:
“This is a great asset for Corby and the local area. It has already shone through in the feedback from guests. We are proud of this project and hope it provides insight into what we can build for our fantastic clients.”
